President Jay Hartzell delivered an impressive accounting of progress toward The University of Texas at Austin's strategic priority of becoming the world's highest-impact public research university and charted the path forward to achieve that priority during his annual State of the University address.
Touting the steps taken during the past year to advance this ambitious goal, Hartzell highlighted the immense talent and the special sense of place fostered within UT and the Austin community. Gains in pursuit of faculty recruitment, startups, medicine, affordability, semiconductors and societal impact were among the accomplishments Hartzell emphasized against his vision for the University to anchor Austin as the world's next "place of genius," on par with Athens, Florence, Calcutta and Silicon Valley of decades and centuries past.
Hartzell announced the University achieved record enrollment and applications for Fall 2023, set a new benchmark in graduation rates and announced a new financial program to help faculty and staff members navigate Austin's affordability challenges and bolster recruitment and retention of faculty and staff members.
The University's role in Austin's emergence as a life sciences and technology hub and development of the new University of Texas Medical Center were also key themes. Hartzell stressed the continued importance of cross-campus collaborations in producing life-improving advancements - exemplified through the Oden Institute, which first brought this approach to campus when it launched 50 years ago. He discussed how the University, with some of the world's most prominent technology experts, is leading research for innovations in the semiconductor field and partnering with government and industry to help solve the nation's supply challenges.
Another opportunity Hartzell discussed was UT's research commercialization ventures through the Discovery to Impact program, which brings research discoveries to the marketplace. The team oversees the University's technology transfer, corporate-sponsored research functions and startup incubators.
The TED Talks-style presentation also revealed how the University is making a significant investment to lead a new career success initiative that will strengthen employer relationships, introduce new tools and technology and better equip students for a fast-evolving world. It will support students by understanding their strengths, connecting them with employers that match their skills and helping with mentorship and navigating first jobs - all in an effort to boost careers post-graduation.
The event marks Hartzell's fourth State of the University address since he was unanimously elected as UT's 30th president.
